Single charge electronics with gold nanoparticles and organic monolayers

O. Pluchery, L. Caillard, A. Rynder, F. Rochet, Y. Zhang, M. Salmeron, Y. J. Chabal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles can be used as ultimate electrical materials for storing electrons or controlling their flow for the next generation nano-electronic devices. These particles are the core element of assemblies where the electrical current is reduced to the smallest possible since electrons are controlled one by one by using the Coulomb blockade phenomenon. We prepared colloidal gold nanoparticles beteween 4 and 15 nm and grafted them on a grafted organic monolayer (GOM) on silicon. GOM are highly ordered monolayers prepared by hydrosilylation of alkene molecules and subsequently modified with an amine group so that gold nanoparticles can be firmly immobilized on top of the layer. We discuss several electrical properties at a single electron level. Using the conductive tip of KPFM, we were also able to reveal the spontaneous charging behavior of the gold nanoparticles so that the local work function of a 10 nm gold nanoparticle is only 3.7 eV. By placing an STM tip above a nanoparticle, Coulomb blockade allows controlling the number of electrons simultaneously injected in the nanoparticle. This opens the way for new kinds of single electron memories or single electron transistors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNanostructured Materials and Nanotechnology - 2015
EditorsMilton Munoz-Navia, Alma Gabriela Palestino-Escobedo, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Lopez, Claudia Gutierrez-Wing, Olivia A. Graeve
PublisherMaterials Research Society
Pages60-72
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9781510826656
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes
Event24th International Materials Research Congress, IMRC 2015 - Cancun, Mexico
Duration: Aug 16 2015Aug 20 2015

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1817
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Conference

Conference24th International Materials Research Congress, IMRC 2015
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancun
Period8/16/158/20/15

Keywords

  • Au
  • Electronic structure
  • Scanning probe microscopy (SPM)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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